Spotlight make it easy to find anything on your Mac , including text inside of all common file formats . macOS offers Spotlight for direct searching in two distinct style : via the Spotlight point in the carte bar or weight-lift Command - spacebar , and in the Finder in a Search field or weight-lift Command - Option - spacebar .
Both sort of hunting will yield a similar set of results , but not identical ace . Both kind of search show you match file and folder name calling , email messages and document that include the search text , and other metadata matches .
The menu Browning automatic rifle Spotlight search mixes in any other categories you ’ve leave by nonpayment or enabled later . You might see flick times , description of novels , suggested internet sites , sport scores , weather condition , and other contextually appropriate material .
If you just want files , stick to the Finder Spotlight search . This one has the bestow benefit of lease you add hunt parameters ( get through the plus sign in the upper - right recess ) and redeem the results as a smart folder you could open subsequently to perform a unrecorded search against current result . ( Tip : Select Search in Finder at the bottom of the menu bar Spotlight search results to launch the Finder - based search . )
A public eye search in the Finder also lets you scope resultant role . In the “ Search : ” leaning at the upper - left field of the windowpane , you will see This Mac and often one or more item , like a late booklet name or the current folder name if you ’re do a search directly in the Finder .
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve compiled a leaning of the questions we get take most oftentimes , along with answers and links to columns : interpret our super FAQ to see if your question is covered . If not , we ’re always look for unexampled problems to work out ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , including sieve seizure as appropriate and whether you need your full name used . Not every dubiousness will be answered , we do n’t respond to e-mail , and we can not allow for direct troubleshooting advice .
